Saenz was stationed in the Helmand province of southern Afghanistan with roughly 20,000 U.S. Marines, including about 10,000 from the 1st Marine Expeditionary Force based near Oceanside.

The bombs planted on roads and paths that the military refers to as Improvised Explosive Devices, or IEDs, cause about 75 percent of casualties to NATO troops in Afghanistan, according to the Pentagon’s Joint IED Defeat Organization.

Now with the surge of 30,000 additional U.S. forces sent to Afghanistan this spring largely in place, casualties from roadside bombs have soared. A recent United Nations report said the Taliban were largely responsible for a 31 percent increase in injury or death to civilians this year. The number of such casualties caused by NATO and other “pro-government” forces had dropped to 12 percent, the UN said.

Saenz left behind a wife and 5-year-old son, the San Antonio Express-News reported. Funeral services are scheduled for Monday in Pleasanton, a town 36 miles south of San Antonio.

This was his first combat tour. Saenz enlisted in the Marine Corps in 2003 and deployed with the 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit to the western Pacific in 2008.

His personal service awards include the Purple Heart, Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal, Combat Action Ribbon, Marine Corps Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal and the Sea Service Deployment Ribbon.

The Marines and sailors of the 1st Marine Division mourn his loss and send heartfelt condolences to his family, division officials said.